VietNam Culture: Mourinho

Showing posts with label Mourinho. Show all posts

Monday, February 21, 2011

Real look to Mourinho magic to end Lyon jinx

Jose Mourinho ended Chelsea's half a century wait for an English title, he brought European Cup glory back to Inter Milan after 45 years and now he battles Olympique Lyon's mesmeric hold over mighty Real Madrid.

If there was ever a man to conquer a hoodoo it is the Portuguese coach but he has more than one jinx to deal with in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg in France.

Lyon have beaten Real at home three times in a row in the competition including last year where they condemned the Spaniards to their sixth successive last 16 elimination.

Overcoming Claude Puel's team and the mental block of quarterfinal progress will be no mean feat but Mourinho, as ever, oozes the confidence that prompted the nine-times winners to appoint him last May.

"No one keeps me awake, neither Lyon nor anyone else," the outspoken Mourinho told reporters after Saturday's comfortable 2-0 La Liga win at home to Levante where he rested several players.

"The night I don't sleep well is after the match. Ever since we drew Lyon we have been following them. (Real consultant Zinedine) Zidane knows them and has been giving me information."

On a personal note, Mourinho is bidding to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs after stunning the European game with Porto's 2004 triumph and then taking just two seasons to mould a winning side at Inter.

May's victory in the final over Bayern Munich is still fresh in his memory but with the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and pumped-up striker Karim Benzema returning to face his former team, Mourinho's prospects look as good as with Inter last year.

mourinho 2

Bicycle kick

Lyon will not just have recent form against Real on their side at the Stade de Gerland.

Their domestic performances have shown a marked improvement of late with a 4-1 derby win at St Etienne and Friday's 4-0 home thumping of AS Nancy boding well.

"You can see that pressure makes us give the best of ourselves," Puel told reporters.

France playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, bought from Girondins Bordeaux in August as a marquee signing, has finally found his verve after a slow start and Jimmy Briand's bicycle kick goal against Nancy was on a par with Wayne Rooney's recent effort.

The only worries for Lyon are goalkeeper Hugo Lloris's bad cold, although he is expected to return against Real, and striker Lisandro Lopez's hamstring problem which is likely to keep the Argentine out of the game.

"Lisandro is slightly injured, his participation against Real is in doubt." added Puel, who has had a series of run-ins with the forward.

Probable teams:

Olympique Lyon: 1-Hugo Lloris; 13-Anthony Reveillere, 3-Cris, 5-Dejan Lovren, 20-Aly Cissokho; 6-Kim Kallstrom, 28-Jeremy Toulalan, 29-Yoann Gourcuff; 11-Michel Bastos, 18-Bafetimbi Gomis, 7-Jimmy Briand

Real Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas; 17-Alvaro Arbeloa, 2-Ricardo Carvalho, 3-Pepe, 4-Sergio Ramos; 14-Xabi Alonso, 24-Sami Khedira; 7-Cristiano Ronaldo, 23-Mesut Ozil, 22-Angel Di Maria; 9-Karim Benzema

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Germany)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Real Madrid find money can't buy you love or goals

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during their Spanish first division soccer match against Levante at the Ciudad de Valencia Stadium in Valencia, September 25, 2010.

Photo: Reuters

MADRID - Jose Mourinho lamented Real Madrid's failure to put the ball in the net as his side were held to a humbling 0-0 draw at Levante in La Liga on Saturday.

The nine-times European champions dominated the match but, as has happened in recent games, they lacked fluidity in their play and appeared anxious when chances fell to the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria or Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We've had eight clear opportunities but we haven't scored," their newly-installed coach Mourinho, who has been on the back foot after Real's dour recent performances, told reporters.

"The only game where we created fewer was in San Sebastian (against Real Sociedad) and we scored twice.

An opening day draw was followed by three consecutive victories with only one goal conceded, but the Bernabeu faithful expect more and they grumbled and whistled at their side during the laboured 3-0 win over Espanyol in midweek.

"We've only conceded once in six matches. We've controlled all the games, haven't had tactical problems and have been defensively solid. We always want to win but if you don't score you don't win," added Mourinho defending their mixed start.

The match pitched the world's richest club by income against a side who only came out of financial administration on Thursday, two years after seeking protection from creditors.

Real spent about 80 million euros ($106.8 million) on players like Argentina's Di Maria and Germany's Mesut Ozil in the close season, on top of 250 million spent the previous year.

Levante strengthened their squad after winning promotion by landing fringe players from other La Liga sides on loan or with free transfers.

"Each side plays to their strengths. It's clear economic power and football power are different things but we were the only ones who tried to play," said Mourinho.

For Levante the result crowned a special week.

After three straight defeats, in which they conceded 10 goals, they collected their first points back in the top flight with a 1-0 win at Almeria in midweek.

They then secured their financial independence again.

"It proves money doesn't speak in football," Levante president Francisco Catalan told Spanish television.

"The board's principle aim was to take the club out of administration, and we have achieved that. Our next job is to secure our place in the top flight."

Monday, September 27, 2010

Mourinho says Benzema 'on right track'

Karim Benzema

Photo: AFP

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho softened his stance towards Karim Benzema Friday by declaring that the French international striker was making good progress.

"He's on the right track, he's showing a great level of motivation," said Mourinho during a press conference.

"I've got much more confidence in him than two months ago. Now it's up to me to give him opportunities so that he's happy. He deserves it."

Mourinho also promised that Benzema would enjoy more playing time.

The 22-year-old has started most of Real's games on the bench this season and has been upbraided by Mourinho over his attitude and time-keeping.

Speaking after Real's 2-0 defeat of Ajax in the Champions League earlier this month, Mourinho said: "I hope that Karim is intelligent. I hope that he understands and that he knows what he has to do in order to play.

"From the bench you can see the match very well, and the changes in position. Today he spent 90 minutes on the bench.

"Karim is an intelligent boy. Sooner or later he'll understand."

Real travel to Valencia to face Levante in La Liga Saturday before visiting Auxerre for their second Champions League group game Tuesday.

Mourinho says Benzema 'on right track'